DTM Round 8- Q1 for Race 1

Hungaroring, 11:35 (GMT); qualifying for race 1 of round 8 in the 2016 DTM season commenced.

19 minutes and counting.

After 2 minutes of the session, cars including No.6 Robert Wickens ease their way out onto the track.

3 minutes in and Wickens is the first to attempt a lap time, setting a good benchmark for the first two sectors before backing off in sector three achieving a time of 1.39.566. This time is subsequently smashed by Juncadella and Blomqvist as the competition for the best flying lap begins.

Nico Müller, one of the fastest drivers in the practise sessions pulls out purple sectors across the board with 14 minutes left in the session. He goes quickest so far with a time of 1.35.599.

Marco Wittmann, current leader of the 2016 championship, earns green and purple sectors heading to turn 12. However even though Wittmann takes the common wide line through turn 14 to gain the best traction, his lock up earlier in the stint sees him gain no improvement on his position.

In contrast, Edoardo Mortara who with 12 minutes left of the session pulls out personal bests in his three sectors, and takes a tight turn 14, hugging the apex, manages to improve.

Mike Rockenfeller improves from p.10 to p.6 completing the top six lock-out for Audi. And Audi remains strong with Mortara pulling purple sectors going quickest with a time of 1.35.489.

Jamie Green, another close championship contender, one point separating himself from Robert Wickens on 3rd position, puts in more personal bests increasing his lap times competitively.

With 9 minutes to go Wickens pits followed by many drivers including Mortara.

With 5 minutes left on the clock, Mortara still holds provisional pole with a seemingly unbeatable time of 1.35.489. The team discuss plans to improve on Montara’s second sectors where he loses most time in his flying laps.

The lack of track action is broken as Spenglar and Müller encourage more drivers to scramble onto the track. Track position is crucial now as so many of the drivers pour out, it is imperative to find a clean spot on the circuit to take advantage of the limited clean air.

With less than 3 minutes to go Maximilian Götz is being investigated by the stewards after an alleged unsafe release from the pit lane ahead of Mortara.

Tom Blomqvist breaks up Audi’s leading pack maintaining a strong p.7 for his Mercedes car.

It’s all push, push, push for the last minute of qualifying, and Jamie Green pulls personal best’s and a purple sector completing a lap time of 1.35.364! He smashes Edoardo Mortara’s time, taking over a tenth from his lap time.

And the session ends with Robert Wickens crossing the line disappointingly unable to improve, finishing in p.18. Audi make up most of the top ten with Blomqvist knocked from p.10 by Wittmann. Mortara is able to complete one more lap and it is looking impressive with purple sectors lighting up across the screen. And Mortara snatches pole from Jamie Green, obliterating his time in the session!

And so Edoardo Mortara is on pole with an outstanding time of 1.35.282;

Jamie Green manages to retain a respectful 2nd place with his time of 1.35.364;